Femto-based home macro sector and associated scanning operation

ABSTRACT

System(s) and method(s) are provided to determine a home macro sector linked to a femto access point and adjust inter-carrier scanning in a mobile device that operates in the home macro sector. A femto access point (AP) can determine a home macro sector through cell or sector identifier that is extracted via scan(s) of macro wireless environment of the femto AP. Femto AP can rank extracted sector identifier(s) and establish home macro sector (HMS) identifier(s), and also can generate scanning requirements for idle-mode scan(s) by mobile device(s) that operates in a HMS. Scanning requirement(s) can force periodic inter-carrier measurements of a HMS wireless environment, and establish HMS-specific radio link quality threshold(s). Wireless network can receive at least one of HMS identifier(s) and scanning requirement(s) and deliver same to mobile device(s) authorized to exploit wireless coverage through femto AP associated with the HMS ID(s) and the scanning requirement(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The subject application is related to co-pending, and commonly assigned,U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “SCANNING OF WIRELESSENVIRONMENT IN A FEMTO-BASED HOME MACRO SECTOR,” filed on Dec. 17, 2008.The entirety of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject innovation relates to wireless communications and, moreparticularly, to controlling and modifying mobile device scanningoperation in idle mode when operating in a macro sector that is home toa femto cell authorized to serve the mobile device.

BACKGROUND

Femto cells—in-building-based wireless access points interfaced with awired broadband network—are deployed generally to improve or augmentindoor macro wireless coverage provided by a wireless network operator.Femto cells typically operate in licensed portions of theelectromagnetic spectrum, and generally offer plug-and-playinstallation; e.g., automatic configuration of femto access point uponprovisioning or first power-up. Improved or augmented indoor coverageincludes stronger signal and improved reception (e.g., voice or data),ease of session or call initiation, and session or call retention aswell. Coverage improvements via femto cells also can also mitigatecustomer attrition, by providing enhanced subscriber perceived andactual quality of service.

Coverage of a femto cell, or femto AP, is intended to be confined withinthe bounds of an indoor compound (e.g., a building with multiplefloors), in order to mitigate interference among terminals covered by amacro cell and terminals covered by the femto AP. In addition, confinedcoverage can reduce cross-talk among terminals serviced by disparate,neighboring femto cells as well. To provide coverage, femto cells aretypically deployed in frequency carrier(s) that are different fromfrequency carrier(s) employed in macro cells; for example, femto andmacro network within Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)deployment operate in such frequency carrier configuration. Thus, toexploit femto coverage, inter-frequency carrier scan(s) of wirelessenvironment are necessary to ensure successful macro-to-femto handofffor devices.

By design and/or protocol, e.g., when operating in a technologyframework such as UMTS, mobile devices commonly continue to operate withsame radio technology and frequency carrier as long as radio linkconditions permit. Battery life conservation and complexity associatedwith inter-frequency carrier reselection are included among reasons tomitigate switching to a disparate technology or frequency carrier; ittakes more power for a mobile device to scan multiple frequency carriersinstead of the frequency carrier that currently serves the mobile.Accordingly, inter-frequency carrier, or inter-carrier, scan(s) andreselection are typically conditional rather than routine, occurringonly when serving radio link quality is below predetermined thresholds.In summary, intra-carrier reselection is based upon time and bestserver, but inter-carrier scanning and reselection depend upon loss ofreceived quality relative to a defined threshold.

In deployment scenarios in which femto coverage is provided viadifferent frequency carriers than macro coverage, the conditional natureof inter-frequency carrier scan can cause the mobile device to neglectfrequency carrier(s) in which femto coverage is provided in instances(e.g., locations and times) where macro coverage received quality issatisfactory or ideal. Thus, continuation of intra-frequency carrierscanning under adequate macro coverage conditions can prevent the mobiledevice from reselecting femto coverage even when femto in-building-basedservice is expected or desired regardless of macro coverage.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The subject innovation provides system(s) and method(s) to determine ahome macro sector linked to a femto access point and adjustinter-carrier scanning, or radio link measurements, in idle-modeoperation of a mobile device that operates in the home macro sector.Home macro sector can be determined through a cell or sector identifier(e.g., an index that defines a pilot sequence that identifies the cellor sector) that is extracted through scan(s) of wireless environment ofa femto access point. Femto AP-based scan(s) surveys all radiotechnologies and frequency carriers that are available in a vicinity of,or surround, the femto AP. Through the femto AP-based scan(s) and a setof ranking criteria that can be established by a network operator, a setof identified macro sectors can be ranked. A set of highly-ranked (e.g.,top ranked, top-two ranked . . . ) sector identifiers are extracted andidentified as home macro sectors. In an aspect, a single HMS isextracted. The femto AP that identifies the set of home macro sectoralso can generate a set of scanning requirements for scanning operation,e.g., idle mode operation, associated with a HMS and exploited by one ormore mobile devices that operate in a location that corresponds to theHMS, and is authorized to access femto coverage through the femto AP.

In an aspect, the set of scanning requirement(s) forces periodicinter-carrier measurements of a HMS wireless environment by a mobiledevice that operates in the HMS. In another aspect, the set of scanningrequirement(s) establishes disparate radio link quality and strengththreshold(s) from those employed in conventional idle-mode scanning ofnon-HMS. Scanning requirement(s) is subscriber-station-specific, e.g.,those terminals authorized to access the femto AP that generates thescanning requirement(s) as a results of identification of a HMS.Additionally, scanning requirement(s) can be customized, or adjusted, atleast on a per-subscriber basis to suit changing requirements, e.g., newdeployed radio technology(ies) and newly added frequency carrier(s), andservice expectations.

The set of HMS identifiers and the set of scanning requirements areconveyed through a mobile network to a set of mobile devices authorizedto exploit wireless femto coverage through the femto AP that conductedthe scan(s). Mobile device(s) that receive the HMS identifiers canretain them in at least one of an internal memory or a removable memory.When a macro sector identifier that serves a mobile device matches a HMSidentifier, the mobile device switches to idle-mode scanning operationin accordance with received scanning requirement(s). In contrast, normalidle-mode scanning operation and optimal battery life utilization areapplied.

Aspects, features, or advantages of the subject innovation can beexploited in substantially any wireless telecommunication, or radio,technology; for example, Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX), Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (Enhanced GPRS),Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE),Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband(UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed Downlink PacketAccess (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), or LTEAdvanced. Additionally, substantially all aspects of the subjectinnovation can include legacy telecommunication technologies. It shouldbe appreciated that the illustrated selections for radio technologyinclude second generation (2G), third generation (3G), and fourthgeneration (4G). However, such selection portrays an illustrativeexample selection and is not intended as a limitation of the subjectinnovation and related aspects thereof. In addition, the subjectaspects, features or advantages can be exploited in disparateelectromagnetic frequency bands.

It is noted that while various aspects, features, or advantagesdescribed herein have been illustrated through femto access point(s) andassociated femto coverage, such aspects and features also can beexploited for home access point(s) (HAPs) that provide wireless coveragethrough substantially any, or any, disparate telecommunicationtechnologies, such as for example Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity).

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The followingdescription and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certainillustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles ofthe invention may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novelfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic deployment of a macro cells and a femtocells for wireless coverage, wherein femto cell access points canexploit aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a schematic wireless environment that illustrates a set ofmacro cells and a femto cell with an associated macro home sector inaccordance with aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example frequency carrier configuration for afemto access point and a base station that can operate in more that oneradio technology in accordance with aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a femto accesspoint that identifies a HMS and generates requirements for idle-modescanning of a wireless environment in accordance with aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of aconfiguration component that ranks identified macro sectors andgenerates scanning requirements for HMS in accordance with aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example system 600 that facilitatesdelivery of home macro sector identifier(s) and a set of scanningrequirement(s) to a set of mobile devices authorized to access femtocoverage through a femto AP that established the HMS identifier(s) andthe set of scanning requirement(s) in accordance with aspects describedherein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example embodiment 700 of a mobiledevice that conducts idle-mode scanning of a wireless environment inaccordance with aspects disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of an example method for producing a homesector identifier and a set of idle-mode scanning requirements accordingto aspects described herein.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method for identifying a home macrosector according to aspects described herein.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method for adopting home macrosector features according to aspects described herein.

FIG. 11 presents a flowchart of an example method for scanning a macrosector in idle mode according to aspects described herein.

FIG. 12 presents a flowchart of an example method for administering HMSidentifier(s) or a set of scanning requirement(s) according to aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of a femtoaccess point that can enable and exploit features or aspects of thesubject innovation.

FIG. 14 example wireless network environment that includes femto andmacro and that can enable aspects or feature of a mobile networkplatform as described herein, and utilize femto APs that exploit aspectsof the subject innovation in accordance with various aspects of thesubject specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, thatthe present invention may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“platform,” “interface,” “generator,” and the like are intended to referto a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operationalmachine with one or more specific functionalities. The entitiesdisclosed herein can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. For example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application runningon a server and the server can be a component. One or more componentsmay reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a componentmay be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. Also, these components can execute from various computerreadable media having various data structures stored thereon. Thecomponents may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as inaccordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal).

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in thesubject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construedto mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from contextto be directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms like “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “subscriber equipment,” “access terminal,”“terminal,” “handset,” and similar terminology, refer to a wirelessdevice utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communicationservice to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming,or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoingterms are utilized interchangeably in the subject specification andrelated drawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “base station,”“Node B,” “evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB),” “home accesspoint (HAP),” and the like, are utilized interchangeably in the subjectapplication, and refer to a wireless network component or appliance thatserves and receives data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream from a set ofsubscriber stations. Data and signaling streams can be packetized orframe-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,”“prosumer,” “agent,” and the like are employed interchangeablythroughout the subject specification, unless context warrants particulardistinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that such termscan refer to human entities or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth. As utilized herein, the term “prosumer”indicate the following contractions: professional-consumer andproducer-consumer.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless environmentthat includes macro cells and femto cells for wireless coverage inaccordance with aspects described herein. In wireless environment 100,two areas 105 represent “macro” cell coverage, each macro cell is servedby a base station 110. It should be appreciated that macro cells 105 areillustrated as hexagons; however, macro cells can adopt other geometriesgenerally dictated by the deployment or floor plan, geographic areas tobe covered (e.g., a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) or ruralstatistical area (RSA)), and so on. Macro coverage is generally intendedto serve mobile wireless devices, like UE 120 _(A), in outdoorslocations. An over-the-air wireless link 115 provides such coverage, thewireless link 115 comprises a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL), andutilizes a predetermined band of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. Asan example, UE 120 _(A) can be a Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) mobile phone. Itis noted that a set of base stations, its associated electronics,circuitry or components, base stations control component(s), andwireless links operated in accordance to respective base stations in theset of base stations form a radio access network (RAN). In addition,base station 110 communicates via backhaul link(s) 151 with a macronetwork platform 108, which in cellular wireless technologies (e.g., 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Universal Mobile TelecommunicationSystem (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)) representsa core network. In an aspect, macro network platform 108 controls a setof base stations 110 that serve either respective cells or a number ofsectors within such cells. Macro network platform 108 also communicateswith other base stations (not shown) that serve other cells (not shown).Backhaul link(s) 151 can include a wired backbone link (e.g., opticalfiber backbone, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) either synchronous or asynchronous, an asymmetricADSL, or a coaxial cable . . . ). Backhaul pipe(s) 155 link disparatebase stations 110.

In wireless environment 100, within one or more macro coverage cell 105,a set of femto cell 125 served by respective femto access points (APs)130 can be deployed. While in illustrative wireless environment 100three femto cells are deployed per macro cell, aspects of the subjectinnovation are geared to femto cell deployments with substantive femtoAP density, e.g., 10 ⁴-10⁸ femto APs 130 per base stations 110. A femtocell 125 typically covers an area that includes confined area 145, whichis determined, at least in part, by transmission power allocated tofemto AP 130, path loss, shadowing, and so forth. While coverage area125 and confined area 145 typically coincide, it should be appreciatedthat in certain deployment scenarios, coverage area 125 can include anoutdoor portion (e.g., a parking lot, a patio deck, a recreation areasuch as a swimming pool and nearby space) while area 145 spans anenclosed living space. Coverage area typically is spanned by a coverageradius that ranges from 20 to 100 meters. Confined coverage area 145 isgenerally associated with an indoor space such as a building, eitherresidential (e.g., a house, a condominium, an apartment complex) orbusiness (e.g., a library, a hospital, a retail store), which encompassa setting that can span about 5000 sq. ft.

A femto AP 130 typically serves a few (for example, 1-5) wirelessdevices (e.g., subscriber station 120 _(B)) within confined coveragearea 125 via a wireless link 135 which encompasses a downlink and anuplink. A femto network platform 109 can control such service, inaddition to mobility handover from macro-to-femto handover and viceversa, and registration and provisioning of femto APs. Control, ormanagement, is facilitated by backhaul link(s) 153 that connect deployedfemto APs 130 with femto network platform 109. Backhaul pipe(s) 153 aresubstantially the same as backhaul link(s) 151. In an aspect of thesubject innovation, part of the control effected by femto AP 130measurements of radio link conditions and other performance metrics.Femto network platform 109 also includes components, e.g., nodes,gateways, and interfaces, that facilitates packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP)) traffic and signaling generation for networkedtelecommunication. It should be appreciated that femto network platform109 can be femto AP 130 can integrate seamlessly with substantially anypacket switched (PS)-based and circuit switched (CS)-based network suchas macro network platform 108. Thus, operation with a wireless devicesuch as 120 _(A) is substantially straightforward and seamless whenhandover from femto-to-macro, or vice versa, takes place. As an example,femto AP 130 can integrate into an existing 3GPP Core Network viaconventional interfaces, or reference links, like Iu-CS, Iu-PS, Gi, Gn.

It is to be noted that substantially all voice or data active sessionsassociated with subscribers within femto cell coverage (e.g., area 125)are terminated once the femto AP 130 is shut down; in case of datasessions, data can be recovered at least in part through a buffer (e.g.,a memory) associated with a femto gateway at the femto network platform.Coverage of a suspended or hotlined subscriber station or associatedaccount can be blocked over the air-interface. However, if a suspendedor hotlined customer who owns a femto AP 130 is in Hotline/Suspendstatus, there is no substantive impact to the customers covered throughthe subject femto AP 130. In another aspect, femto AP 130 can exploithigh-speed downlink packet access either via an interface with macronetwork platform 108 or through femto network platform 109 in order toaccomplish substantive bitrates.

In addition, in yet another aspect, femto AP 130 has a LAC (locationarea code) and RAC (routing area code) that is different from theunderlying macro network. These LAC and RAC are used to identifysubscriber station location for a variety of reasons, most notably todirect incoming voice and data traffic to appropriate pagingtransmitters, and emergency calls as well. As a subscriber station(e.g., UE 120 _(A)) that exploits macro coverage (e.g., cell 105) entersfemto coverage (e.g., area 125), the subscriber station (e.g., UE 120_(A)) attempts to attach to the femto AP 130 through transmission andreception of attachment signaling. The signaling is effected via DL/UL135; in an aspect of the subject innovation, the attachment signalingcan include a Location Area Update (LAU) and/or Routing Area Update(RAU). Attachment attempts are a part of procedures to ensure mobility,so voice calls and data sessions can be established and retained evenafter a macro-to-femto transition or vice versa. It is to be noted thatUE 120 _(A) can be employed seamlessly after either of the foregoingtransitions. In addition, femto networks typically are designed to servestationary or slow-moving traffic with reduced signaling loads comparedto macro networks. A femto service provider network 165 (e.g., an entitythat commercializes, deploys, or utilizes femto access point 130) istherefore inclined to minimize unnecessary LAU/RAU signaling activity atsubstantially any opportunity to do so, and through substantially anyavailable means. It is to be noted that substantially any mitigation ofunnecessary attachment signaling/control is advantageous for femto celloperation. Conversely, if not successful, UE 120 _(A) is generallycommanded (through a variety of communication means) to select anotherLAC/RAC or enter “emergency calls only” mode. It is to be appreciatedthat this attempt and handling process can occupy significant UEbattery, and femto AP capacity and signaling resources (e.g.,communication of pilot sequences) as well.

When an attachment attempt is successful, UE 120 _(A) is allowed onfemto cell 125, and incoming voice and data traffic are paged and routedto the subscriber through the femto AP 130. To facilitate voice and datarouting, and control signaling as well, successful attachment can berecorded in a memory register, e.g., a Visited Location Register (VLR),or substantially any data structure stored in a network memory. It is tobe noted also that packet communication (e.g., voice and data traffic,and signaling) typically paged/routed through a backhaul broadband wirednetwork backbone 140 (e.g., optical fiber backbone, twisted-pair line,T1/E1 phone line, digital subscriber line (DSL) either synchronous orasynchronous, an asymmetric DSL, a coaxial cable . . . ). To this end,femto AP 130 is typically connected to the broadband backhaul networkbackbone 140 via a broadband modem (not shown). In an aspect of thesubject innovation, femto AP 130 can display status indicators forpower, active broadband/DSL connection, gateway connection, and genericor specific malfunction. In another aspect, no landline is necessary forfemto AP 130 operation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic wireless environment 200 that illustrates a set ofmacro cells and a femto cell with an associated home macro sector inaccordance with aspects described herein. Three macro cells 205 ₁-205 ₃comprise the illustrative wireless environment. Coverage macro cells 205_(λ) (λ=1, 2, 3) are illustrated as hexagons; however, coverage cellscan adopt other geometries generally dictated by a deploymentconfiguration or floor plan, geographic areas to be covered, and so on.Each macro cell 205 _(λ) is sectorized in a π/3 configuration in whicheach macro cells includes three sectors, demarcated with dashed lines inFIG. 2. It should be appreciated that other sectorizations are possible,and aspects or features of the subject innovation can be exploitedregardless of type of sectorization. It is noted that a set of radionetwork control node(s), which can be a part of macro network platform;a set of base stations (e.g., Node B 110 _(λ)) that serve a set of macrocells (e.g., 205 _(λ)); electronics, circuitry or components associatedwith the base stations in the set of base stations; a set of respectiveOTA wireless links (e.g., links 115 _(λ)) operated in accordance to aradio technology through the base stations; and backhaul links (e.g.,links 155, see FIG. 1), form a macro radio access network (RAN). An OTAwireless link 115, associated with a base station 110 _(λ), facilitatescoverage of mobile device 140 _(λ) through transport of signal(s) andtraffic; the wireless link 115 _(λ) comprises a downlink (DL) and anuplink (UL), and it utilizes a predetermined band of the radio frequencyspectrum.

In an aspect of the subject innovation, to determine a home macro sector210, femto AP 130 scans macro wireless environment and establishes aranking of identified macro sectors in accordance to various rankingcriteria. Scanning of the macro wireless environment can be triggered inaccordance at least in part with a received schedule or event(s). A scancan include survey and comparison of a set of electromagnetic (EM)frequency bands, which can comprise radio frequency (RF) portion(s) andmicrowave portion(s) of the EM spectrum. In an aspect, the set of EMfrequency bands can be determined by a service provider that operatesmacro and femto networks; for instance, the set of frequency bands caninclude all EM frequency bands licensed by the service provider (e.g.,personal communication services (PCS), advanced wireless services (AWS),general wireless communications service (GWCS), and so forth), and allunlicensed frequency bands currently available for telecommunication(e.g., the 2.4 GHz industrial, medical and scientific (IMS) band or oneor more of the 5 GHz set of bands). In addition, a scan can includedetection and comparison of pilot signal(s) and system broadcastmessage(s) associated with one or more radio technologies; for example,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Enhanced GPRS, 3GPP) LTE, 3GPP2 UMB, HSPA, HSDPA, HSUPA,or LTE Advanced. Generally, such measurements implemented in a scan ofwireless environment facilitate identification of frequency carrier(s),radio technology, and macro sector(s) that provide best candidate(s) foroutgoing femto-to-macro handover. It should be appreciated thatdisparate wireless radio technologies can operate generally in disparatefrequency carriers; as illustrated in FIG. 3, base station 310 canexploit wireless links according to technology 1 302 ₁ and technology 2302 ₂ which operate, respectively, in frequency band C′ 305, andfrequency band C₂ 305 ₂. It should be further appreciated that femtofrequency carrier C′ 325 employed for telecommunication through a femtocell (e.g., femto AP 330) can be distinct from macro frequency carriers,or bands, C′ 305, and C₂ 305 ₂.

Femto AP 130, based at least in part on a constructed ranking ofidentified macro sectors, selects a home macro sector 210 and extractsan identifier associated therewith. In an aspect, sector identifier canbe a single index, or a composite index, that identifies a pilot signalsequence of scrambling code. It is noted that more than one HMSidentifier(s) can be determined; such scenario can occur when more thanone macro sector provides top-ranked radio telecommunicationcondition(s). As an example, a first macro sector operates in 4Gtechnology and display satisfactory radio link quality, and a secondmacro sector operates in 3G technology with top radio quality metrics.Thus, the first sector can provide voice and data at high speedincurring added signaling as a result of the satisfactory radio linkquality, while the second sector can deliver data a lower speed, butwith less signaling incurred in view of the superior radio link qualitythereof. In view of the illustrated trade-offs between speed andquality, both sectors can rank at the top and therefore be deemed homemacro sectors.

It is to be appreciated that the home macro sector(s) and identifier(s)thereof indicate the best and most likely macro sector(s) that serveoutside a confined area (e.g., area 125) of femto coverage. It is to befurther appreciated that a femto access point (e.g., femto AP 130) caneffect a scan macro wireless environment as a part of provisioning, andconfiguration and initialization when first powered on.

Next, illustrative aspects and features related to generation,dissemination, and utilization of HMS identifier and idle-mode scanningrequirements are described in greater detail. In particular,illustrative embodiments of a femto AP, and component(s) therein, thatcan identify a home macro sector is presented, a network-basedillustrative system for dissemination of HMS is shown, and an exampleembodiment of a mobile handset that exploits a HMS identifier to conductidle-mode scanning.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example embodiment 400 of a femto accesspoint that identifies a HMS and generates requirements for idle-modescanning of a wireless environment in accordance with aspects describedherein. Femto AP 130 includes a configuration component 405 that can setup the femto AP 130 in scanning mode in accordance at least in part onreceived schedule(s) 402; such schedule(s) can be retained in memoryelement schedule(s) 438. Schedule(s) 402 can facilitate reassessment,through scanning, of macro wireless environment of a femto AP (e.g.,femto AP 130) when deployment modification(s) such as cell or sectorgrowth takes place. In an aspect, a network operator can determineschedule(s) 402. Additionally, or alternatively, a scanning request canbe indicated through signaling 458; an indication to scan can beevent-based such as when at least one of new sector(s) are added to awireless network, new radio technologies are deployed, or new frequencycarriers are utilized for communication. Scanner component 415 cansurvey wireless environment (e.g., wireless environment 200), includingfrequency carriers associated with macro wireless signals, such as C₁305, and C₂ 305 ₂, and frequency carrier(s) (e.g., C′ 325) associatedwith femto AP wireless signal. To conduct a scan that includesintra-frequency scan and inter-frequency carrier scan, scanner component415 relies at least in part on communication platform 425, which caninclude antenna(s) component 427 and detection component 429. In anaspect, to conduct a scan, scanner component 415 can configure atransceiver component (not shown) in antenna(s) component 427 to collectsignal in a specific frequency carrier (e.g., C′ 305 ₁). Additionally,scanner component 415 can configure demodulation and demultiplexingoperation of detection component 429 in accordance with standard variousprotocols associated with disparate telecommunication technologies; inan aspect, the various protocols and instructions necessary forimplementation thereof can reside in memory 435. Scanner component 415can decode received signal and thus determine macro sectoridentifier(s). Decoding can be based at least in part on blind decodingof received signal, computation of log-likelihood ratios associated withconstellation realization for a specific demodulation; maximumlikelihood (ML) estimation, minimum mean square equalization (MMSE),zero forcing (ZF) filtering, or maximal ratio combining (MRC) filtering.To determine code sequences, scanner component 415 can computecross-correlation of decoded signal(s) and a set of code sequencehypothesis. Code sequence hypothesis (not shown) for various radiotechnologies can be retained in memory 435. When a code sequence hasbeen determined, an index that identifies a decoded scrambling code canbe employed as a sector identifier; the index can be a composite indexbased at least in part on the type of decoded sequence. Scannercomponent can identify a set of macro sectors.

Scanner component 415 can gather data on DL signal quality and strengthassociated with identified sectors. To at least that end, scannercomponent 415 can gather DL reference signal(s) 462 and analyze suchsignal(s) to determine DL channel quality or strength. In addition,scanner component 415 can convey UL sounding signal(s) 464 to a group ofone or more identified sectors, which communicate with femto AP 130through links 115, and receive UL signal quality report(s) associatedwith the conveyed sounding signal(s). Such reports can (i) be embodiedin a short message service (SMS) communication, an unstructuredsupplementary service data (USSD) message, or in one or more bits in atleast one of control channel(s), data packet header(s), managementframe(s), or management packet(s), and (ii) received through signaling466. Data on DL/UL radio link quality and strength in addition toinformation that characterized identified sector(s) such as radiotechnology can be collected in sector intelligence 442.

Configuration component 405 can utilize the collected sectorintelligence 442 to rank the set of identified macro sectors inaccordance at least in part with predetermined ranking criteria. Topranked identified macro sector(s) can be categorized, or furtheridentified, as a home macro sector (HMS) associated with the femto AP130 that conducts the wireless environment scan; HMS identification(s)(ID(s)) 452 can be conveyed to a femto network platform 109. Home macrosector ID(s) 452 are intended to each mobile device recorded in accesslist(s) 446, which authorized wireless coverage through femto AP 130. Inan aspect, HMS ID(s) 452 can be conveyed when at least one of ascheduled scan, as dictated by schedule(s) 402, or a requested scan, assignaled via signaling 458, reveals the presence of a different or newhome macro sector. Configuration component 405 can employ HMS ID(s) 448as a look-up table to determine whether a HMS is new or different withrespect to previously established home macro sectors. In another aspect,a HMS identifier recorded or retained in HMS ID(s) 448 can be conveyedin response to addition of a subscriber station to access list(s) 446,the HMS identifier intended for delivery to the added subscriberstation. It is noted that backhaul link 153 can facilitate delivery ofHMS ID(s) 452 to femto network platform 109; HMS ID(s) 452 can berelayed there from to macro network platform 108. It is noted that, inan aspect, HMS ID(s) 452 also can be conveyed over-the-air (OTA) throughwireless link 135 (not shown in FIG. 4) to a base station and deliveredto a macro network platform 108 there from. Additionally, HMS ID(s) 448can be retained in memory element HMS ID(s) 448. An identifier of HMS(e.g., HMS 210) is associated or linked to each mobile device uniqueidentifier in access list(s) 446 that authorize access to femtocoverage. It should be appreciated that while access list(s) 446 linkedto HMS ID(s) 448 is illustrated as retained within memory 435 in femtoAP 130, linked access list(s) 446 also can be stored in a femto networkplatform (e.g., a femto gateway node or memory associated therewith) ora memory (not shown) external, or offline, to femto AP 130 or femtonetwork platform 109. Unique identifier(s) can include an internationalmobile subscriber identity (IMSI), an international mobile equipmentidentifier (IMEI), a mobile directory number (MDN), a mobileidentification number (MIN), a Telecommunications Industry Association(TIA) electronic serial number (ESN), or a multi-bit identificationnumber like the mobile identity number (MEID). It is noted thatsubstantially any code or token that uniquely identifies a mobile devicecan be employed to identify an authorized device in access list(s) 446.

In an aspect of the subject innovation, femto AP 130 can generate anddeliver idle-mode scanning requirement(s) 408 for a mobile device campedon a HMS. It is noted that idle-mode operation, or otherwise, of themobile device camped on the HMS occurs in a mixed femto/macro wirelessenvironment; e.g., an environment that transports wireless signal(s)originated from a femto AP (e.g., femto AP 130) and a macro base station(e.g., Node B 110 ₁). Such requirement(s) can drive, or force, periodicscans of wireless environment that include inter-carrier scanning.Additionally, scanning requirement(s) 408 can include a set of radiolink quality thresholds that are different from those thresholdsemployed in non-home macro sectors. It is noted that at least oneadvantage of generation of scanning requirement(s) 408 at the femto APlevel is that such requirement(s) can be determined based at least inpart on specific radio conditions local to the femto AP. In an aspect,period τ of scans can be configured by femto AP 130, or by a networkmanagement component (e.g., a femto gateway node, or a radio networkcontroller). It should be appreciated that scan behavior, as dictated byscan requirement(s) 408, is not based upon radio link quality and isspecific to mobile device, and unique identifier associated therewith,authorized to access femto coverage through the femto AP that identifiedthe HMS. In contrast, conventional idle-mode scanning behavior is notspecific to mobile device unique identifier authorized to access femtocoverage via the femto AP that identifies the HMS; rather, inconventional wireless systems, all mobile devices served by a sectorfollow idle-mode scanning behavior definition in system messagesbroadcasted by the sector. It should further be appreciated that, in anaspect of the subject innovation, home macro sector is included as anadditional condition that when met can trigger frequent (with period τ)inter-frequency carrier mobile device measurements or scans. At leastone advantage of the per-unique-device-identifier idle-mode scanningprotocol or mechanism described herein is that it suits a customizedfemto coverage environment and subscriber experience.

Received signaling 458 also can deliver, or convey, an indication to notgenerate scanning requirement(s) 408. To reduce processing complexity,one or more wireless network components can generate scanningrequirement(s) associated with identified home macro sector(s).Additionally, signaling 458 can deliver status report(s) associated withcommunication of HMS ID(s) 542 or scanning requirement(s) 408 to mobiledevices identified in access list(s) 446; such status reports conveyedby wireless network platform (e.g., femto network platform 109 or one ormore components therein) as a part of communication of HMS ID(s) 452 andscanning requirement(s) 408. In an aspect, status report(s) deliveredthrough signaling 458 can be embodied in a set of bits in a controlchannel or management data packet, one or more bits in a header of datapackets, one or more bits in one or more management frames, or the like.

Status report(s) can indicate, for example, whether one or more ofintended mobile devices recorded in access list(s) 446 successfullyreceived at least one of HMS ID(s) 452 or scanning requirement(s) 408.When status report(s) delivered through signaling 458 convey that one ormore intended mobile devices failed to receive home macro sectoridentifier(s) or scanning requirement(s), femto AP 130, viaconfiguration component 405, for example, can flag such mobile device(s)within access list(s) 446 and deliver HMS ID(s) 452 and scanningrequirement(s) 408 when the mobile device(s) attaches to femto AP 130.Alternatively, or additionally, femto AP 130 can bar access thereto ofthe mobile device(s) that fail to receive HMS ID(s) 452 or scanningrequirement(s) 408, and request a delivery retry cycle. In an aspect,configuration component 405 can reconfigure access list(s) 446 to baraccess of such mobile device(s), and can request the delivery retrycycle to one or more wireless network components.

In addition, when one or more mobile devices are removed from accesslist(s) 446, femto AP 130 can deliver signaling 458 that can convey anindication to the one or more mobile devices that are removed to deleteat least one of HMS identifier(s) or scanning requirement(s) storedwithin respective memory element(s) in the one or more mobile devicesthat no longer retained in access list(s) 446. It is noted that the oneor more mobile devices can be removed temporarily or permanently fromaccess list(s) 446. It is noted that to deliver signaling 458, femto AP130 can exploit configuration component 405 and communication platform425.

Example embodiment 400, femto access point 130 includes processor 455which is configured to confer, and confers, at least in part, thedescribed functionality of the various components included in accesspoint 130. Processor 455 can execute code instructions (not shown)stored in memory 435, or a memory component or element therein, toprovide the described functionality. It should be appreciated thatprocessor 455 can be a centralized element or be distributed among thevarious referenced components.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment 500 of aconfiguration component that ranks identified macro sectors andgenerates scanning requirements for HMS in accordance with aspectsdescribed herein. In embodiment 500, configuration component 405includes a ranking component 505 that order or ranks identified sectorsbased at least in part on ranking criteria 545. In an aspect, rankingcomponent 505 collects information retained in sector intelligence 442and applies ranking criteria 545 to such information to generate aranking of identified macro sectors. When such ranking is completed,ranking component 505 can store the ranking in sector intelligence 442.As described above, configuration component 405 can select a top-rankedidentified macro sector as a home macro sector; the sector identifier isretained in memory element HMS ID(s) 448.

In addition, configuration component 405 includes a requirementgenerator 515 that produces a set of requirements for idle-mode scanningof wireless environment for a mobile device that is authorized to accessfemto coverage via the femto AP (e.g., femto AP 130) that establishesthe HMS. Generated requirement(s) can be retained in memory elementscanning requirement(s) 535. It should be appreciated that scanningrequirement(s) 535 can be delivered at femto AP 130.

Configuration component 405 also includes an association component 525that links a home macro sector identifier retained in HMS ID(s) 448 witheach mobile device unique identifier that comprises access list(s) 446;association component also can update or modify an extant access list toreflect availability of the home macro sector identifier.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example system 600 that facilitatesdelivery of home macro sector identifier(s) and a set of scanningrequirement(s) to a set of mobile devices authorized to access femtocoverage through a femto AP that established the HMS identifier(s) andthe set of scanning requirement(s) in accordance with aspects describedherein. In example system 600, wireless network platform 602 can exploitvarious radio technologies to communicate wirelessly with mobile device220 through a RAN that includes backhaul link 675 and base station 685;specific communication via link 675 and operation of base station 185are dictated by a selected radio technology. Wireless networkplatform(s) 602 also can facilitate circuit switched (CS)-based (e.g.,voice and data) and packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP),frame relay, or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) traffic and signalinggeneration, and delivery and reception for networked telecommunication,in accordance with various radio technologies. In addition, wirelessnetwork platform(s) 602 can control and manage base stations 110 _(λ)via, for example, a wireless network management component (e.g.,cellular gateway node(s); cellular control node(s) such as RNC node(s)).Moreover, wireless network platform(s) can integrate disparate networks(e.g., macro network(s), femto network(s), Wi-Fi network(s), femto cellnetwork(s), broadband network(s), service network(s), enterprisenetwork(s) . . . ) In cellular wireless technologies (e.g., 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Universal Mobile TelecommunicationSystem (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)), wirelessnetwork platform 602 is embodied in a core network and RNC node(s).

Wireless network platform 602, via management component 605 or one ormore component therein, conveys schedule(s) 662 to femto AP 130 tosupply a set of instances at which femto AP 130 is to scan a macrowireless environment (e.g., wireless environment 200). In an aspect,schedule(s) 662 can be generated by management component 605 based atleast in part on network intelligence retained in memory element networkintelligence 648 within memory 645. It is noted that, in addition toschedule(s) 662, management component 605 can convey other indication(s)to scan a macro wireless environment. Network intelligence 648 canretain information related to network upgrades such as new deploymentsof coverage macro cells or sectors; product(s) or service(s) launchplanned date(s); addition of new technology layers (e.g., infrastructureand application(s) associated with a technology); reconfiguration ofradio resource(s) reuse; or the like. To convey schedule(s) 662,management component 605 delivers schedule(s) 662 to access node(s) 615,which relays schedule(s) 662 to femto AP 130 via backhaul link 153. Inan aspect, access node(s) 615 can include femto gateway (GW) node(s) 618and macro GW node(s) 620, and femto serving node(s) 622 and macro SRVnode(s) 624. To relay schedule(s) 664, femto GW node(s) 618 can receivedata stream(s) that includes at least in part schedule(s) 662 and conveythe data stream(s) to femto SRV node(s) 622 which can deliver the datastream(s) that contain schedule(s) 662 to femto AP 130.

When femto AP 130 identifies a set of home macro sectors and generatesscanning requirement(s), the femto AP 130 delivers the identified HMSID(s) 666 and generated scanning requirement(s) 664 through backhaullink 153. Femto SRV node(s) 622 receive a data stream that carries atleast in part HMS ID(s) 666 or scanning requirement(s) 664, and relaysthe data stream to femto GW node(s) 618, which in turn relays the datastream to (i) macro GW node(s) 620 through a reference link (e.g., Gn inEDGE or 3GPP UMTS), and (ii) management component 605. Macro GW node(s)620 delivers the data stream to macro SRV node(s) 624 which conveys OTAthe data stream that contains at least in part scanning requirement(s)664 and HMS ID(s) 666. Scanning requirement(s) 664 and HMS ID(s) 666 aredelivered through backhaul link 675 to serving base station 685 and tomobile device 115 via wireless link 115. In aspect (i), HMS ID(s) 666and scanning requirement(s) 664 can be delivered through one or morebits in a frame of a control channel or in a packet header, a multi-bitword in a control channel, or a light-payload (e.g., O(10) bytes) datapacket. In aspect (ii), at least one of HMS ID(s) 666 or scanningrequirement(s) 664 can be delivered either via at least one of existingSMS mechanisms or USSD mechanisms utilized for legacy roaming profiles.For instance, a SMS Wakeup/WAP Push message is conveyed to mobile device220, upon such message is acknowledged via signaling 668, managementcomponent 605 pushes through a SMS communication at least one of HMSID(s) 666 and scanning requirement(s) 664 mobile device 220.Alternatively, or in addition, management component 605 can deliver aUSSD/WAP Push message to mobile device 220, and communicate via a USSDmessage at least one of HMS ID(s) 666 and scanning requirement(s) 664after the USSD/WAP Push message is acknowledged.

In an aspect, successful delivery of HMS ID(s) 666 and scanningrequirement(s) 664 can be acknowledged (e.g., via ACK indication, one ormore reserved bits in a packet header, a light-payload (e.g., O(1)bytes) data packet, a predetermined multi-bit word conveyed in a radioframe within a control channel . . . ) through signaling 668 by mobiledevice(s) 670 that successfully receives HMS ID(s) 666 and scanningrequirement(s) 664. Acknowledgement can be received by managementcomponent 605. In the absence of an acknowledgement indication,management 605 can retry delivery until update confirmation is received,or management component 605 records a “failed delivery” flag in memory645 after a predetermined number of retry attempts. In addition, areport component (not shown) within management component 605 can reportwhether at least one of the conveyed HMS identifier(s) or the set ofscanning requirements is successfully delivered. In an aspect, report(s)are conveyed via signaling (e.g., signaling 458) to the femto AP thatidentifies the HMS. A report can be embodied in a SMS message, a USSDmessage, or one or more bits delivered through a control channel, or aheader of a data packet.

Management component 605 can store received home macro sector(s) inmemory element HMS ID(s) 656 and link(s) access list(s) 652 thereto;linked access list(s) 652 and HMS ID(s) 656 are retained in memory 645.It should be appreciated that access list(s) 652 includes access list(s)associated with femto AP 130. In another aspect, to reduce complexity atfemto AP 130, management component 605, through a configurationcomponent (not shown), can generate scanning requirement(s) foridle-mode scanning behavior, retain the generated scanningrequirement(s) and convey the generated scanning requirement(s) to theset of mobile devices 670 authorized to access femto coverage via afemto AP that generated a home macro sector identifier (e.g., HMS ID(s)666) associated with the generated scanning requirement(s).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example embodiment 700 of a mobiledevice that conducts idle-mode scanning of a wireless environment inaccordance with aspects disclosed herein. In an aspect, mobile device710 embodies mobile device 220. In mobile device 710, which can operatein multi-technology multimode and exploit disparate frequency carriers,a set of antennas 709 ₁-709 _(K) (K is a positive integer) can receiveand transmit signal(s) from and to wireless devices like base stations,access terminals, wireless ports and routers, and so forth, that operatein a radio access network, e.g., RAN 685. It should be appreciated thatantennas 709 ₁-709 _(K) are a part of communication platform 705, whichcomprises electronic components and associated circuitry that providefor processing and manipulation of received signal(s) and signal(s) tobe transmitted. In an aspect of the subject innovation, communicationplatform 705 can receive home macro sector identifier(s) HMS ID(s) 703,and scanning requirement(s) 702 associated therewith, receivedinformation can be conveyed to, and retained in, memory 765 viaprocessor 755.

In embodiment 700, communication platform 705 includesreceiver(s)/transmitter(s) 706 that can convert signal from analog todigital upon reception, and from digital to analog upon transmission. Inaddition, receiver/transmitter 706 can divide a single data stream intomultiple, parallel data streams, or perform the reciprocal operation;such operations typically conducted in various multiplexing schemes.Functionally coupled to receiver(s)/transmitter(s) 706 is amultiplexer/demultiplexer (mux/demux) component 707 that facilitatesmanipulation of signal in time and frequency space. Electronic mux/demuxcomponent 707 can multiplex information (data/traffic andcontrol/signaling) according to various multiplexing schemes such astime division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM),orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), code divisionmultiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing (SDM). In addition,mux/demux component 707 can scramble and spread information (e.g.,codes) according to substantially any code; e.g., Hadamard-Walsh codes,Baker codes, Kasami codes, polyphase codes, and so on. Amodulator/demodulator (mod/demod) component 708 is also a part ofcommunication platform 705, and can modulate information according tovarious modulation techniques, such as frequency modulation (e.g.,frequency-shift keying), amplitude modulation (e.g., M-ary quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), with M a positive integer; amplitude-shiftkeying (ASK)), phase-shift keying (PSK), and the like. In an aspect ofembodiment 700, mod/demod component 708 is functionally coupled tomux/demux component 667. In embodiment 700, processor 755 facilitates,at least in part, mobile device 710 to process data (e.g., symbols,bits, or chips) for multiplexing/demultiplexing,modulation/demodulation, such as implementing direct and inverse fastFourier transforms, selection of modulation rates, selection of datapacket formats, inter-packet times, etc.

In embodiment 700, multimode chipset(s) 725 allows mobile device 710 tooperate in multiple communication modes through various radio networktechnologies (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G . . . ) in accordance with disparatetechnical specifications, or standard protocols, for the radio networktechnologies. In particular, multimode operation chipset(s) 725 utilizescommunication platform 705 in accordance with the standard protocolsspecific to a mode of operation. In another aspect, multimode operationchipset(s) 725 can be scheduled to operate concurrently (e.g., when K>1)in various modes or within a multitask paradigm. Scanner component 715can operate, or drive operation of, multimode chipset(s) 725 throughselection and realization of one or more radio network technologies forcommunication in a specific telecommunication mode. Selection of radiotechnologies and frequency carriers are implemented as part of idle-modescanning of a wireless environment in which mobile device 705 operates.

In an aspect of the subject innovation, mobile device 705 receives OTA,via communication platform 705, for example, at least one of a set ofscanning requirement(s) 702 and HMS ID(s) 703. The received at least oneof a set of scanning requirement(s) 702 and HMS ID(s) 703 can be storedwithin memory 765, in memory elements scanning requirement(s) 772 andHMS ID(s) 768, respectively. In an aspect, memory 765 can includeremovable storage capabilities, or elements, that can retain scanningrequirement(s) 772 and HMS ID(s) 768; such removable memory elements caninclude a SIM card, UICC or USIM card, or a RUIM. It is to be noted thatmobile device 705 is included within an access list that authorizes themobile device 705 to be covered through femto coverage associated withthe femto AP that identifies the received HMS ID(s) 703 and scanningrequirement(s) 702. Mobile device 705 can receive updated home macrosector identifier(s) and scanning requirement(s) for idle-mode scanoperation when a femto AP generates new HMS ID(s) 703 and new scanningrequirement(s) 702 as a result for a macro network update such asfrequency carrier or sector additions, or both.

As described above, scanning requirement(s) 702 can drive, or force, atleast in part, mobile device 705 to conduct inter-carrier scanning ofwireless environment when the mobile device 705 camps on a home macrosector as identified via HMS ID(s) 703. Additionally, scanningrequirement(s) 702 can include at least one of an indication to conducta scan periodically, wherein the period of the scans is determined by anetwork operator, or a set of radio link quality threshold(s) that aredisparate from thresholds utilized in non-home macro sectors.

In an aspect of the subject innovation, when mobile device 705 receivesHMS ID(s) 703, and scanning behavior requirement(s) 702, mobile device705 through scanner component 715 can activate an application that,while mobile device 705 is in idle mode, can monitor a received servingsector identifier in order to determine whether the received servicesector identifier matches the received and retained HMS ID(s) 703. Itshould be appreciated that serving sector identifier can be extractedfrom system and cell broadcast messages received at mobile device 705through communication platform 705, and decoded by scanner component715. When scanner component 715, via the activated monitor application,determines that serving macro sector matches a home macro sectoridentifier retained in HMS ID(s) 768, idle-mode scanning behavioradjusts to scanning in accordance with received scanning requirement(s)retained scanning requirement(s) 772. While in idle-mode, mobile device705 disregards such scanning indications, or instruction(s), which areemployed by other mobile devices that operate in the serving sector andare not authorized to access femto coverage through the femto AP (e.g.,femto AP 130) that identified the home macro sector and generated thescanning requirements. Alternatively, when mobile device 705 is notserved by the home macro sector, as a result of mobility events, forexample, mobile device 705 conducts scans of wireless environment inaccordance with conventional system information messages broadcasted bythe service macro sector, and delivered through signaling 704.

In another aspect, mobile device(s) 710, through configuration component716 and communication platform 705, can acknowledge (e.g., via ACKindication, one or more reserved bits in a packet header, alight-payload (e.g., O(1) bytes) data packet, a predetermined multi-bitword conveyed in a radio frame within a control channel . . . ) viasignaling 704 successful reception of HMS ID(s) 703 and scanningrequirement(s) 702.

In yet another aspect, when mobile device 710 receives, throughcommunication platform 705, an indication that it has been removed fromone or more access list(s) that authorize femto coverage, mobile device710 can delete at least one of HMS identifier(s) or scanningrequirement(s) stored within memory 765. Configuration component 716 canfacilitate deletion of at least one of HMS identifier(s) or scanningrequirement(s).

Mobile device 710 also includes a functional platform 735 that comprisesa set of components (not shown) that provide, at least in part, one ormore specific functionalities that complement or supplement wirelesscommunication. As an example, in a case mobile device 710 is atelephone, functional component includes functional elements such as adata entry interface (e.g., a keyboard, a biometric pad forbiometric-based access, a microphone, a loud speaker . . . ), a camera,peripheral connectors (e.g., a USB port for transferring data to adisparate device), a voice coder-decoder, and so on. It should beappreciated that functional platform 735 can exploit applications storedin application(s) storage 776 within memory 765 to provide one or morefunctionalities.

Display interface 745, which can reside within functional platform 655even though it is illustrated as external thereto, facilitates gesturesfor subscriber-device interaction via at least one of a screen (e.g., aliquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma panel, a monolithic thin-filmbased electrochromic display . . . ), a sound interface, and so forth.Additionally, display interface 635 can render content(s) that (i)control functionality of mobile device 610 as available in functionalplatform 655, or (ii) reveal operation conditions thereof.

In addition to HMS ID(s) 768, scanning requirement(s) 772, andapplication(s) storage 776, memory 765 can store data structures (e.g.,metadata); code structure(s) (e.g., modules, objects, classes,procedures) or instructions, or substantially any type of software orfirmware that processor 755 can execute to provide functionalityassociated with substantially any component, platform, interface,selector and so forth, within mobile device 710, in accordance withaspects of the subject innovation. Moreover, memory 765 can also retain(not shown) network or device information like specifications, addressbook(s); code sequences for scrambling, spreading, blind decodinghypothesis, semi-persistent scheduling parameters, pilot signal(s)(e.g., reference signal(s)); frequency offsets, cell IDs other than HMSID(s) 768, and so on. Furthermore, memory 765 also can retain content(s)(e.g., multimedia files, subscriber-generated data); securitycredentials (e.g., passwords, encryption keys, digital certificates,biometric reference indicators like voice recordings, iris patterns,fingerprints); hardware identifying tokens such as IMSI, a serialproduct number such as MEID and the like.

Mobile device 710 also includes processor 755 configured to confer, andthat confers, functionality, at least in part, to substantially anycomponent, platform, interface, and so forth, within mobile device 710,in accordance with aspects of the subject innovation. To confer suchfunctionality, processor 755 can exploit, at list in part, data, system,or address bus 754 for data or information exchange. In embodiment 700,processor 755 is illustrated as external to the various functionalelements (e.g., components, interfaces, platforms, selectors . . . ) ofmobile device 710; however, processor 755 can be distributed across suchvarious functional elements. In addition, processor 755 is functionallycoupled (e.g., through a memory bus) to memory 765 in order to store andretrieve information such as code instructions, data structures, etc.,necessary to operate and/or confer functionality, at least in part, tocommunication platform 705, scanner component 715, multimode chipset(s)725, functional platform 735 and components therein, display interface745, and other operational components (not shown) of multimode mobiledevice 710.

In view of the example systems described above, example methods that canbe implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can bebetter appreciated with reference to flowcharts in FIGS. 8-12. Forpurposes of simplicity of explanation, example methods disclosed hereinare presented and described as a series of acts; however, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur in different ordersand/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and describedherein. For example, one or more example methods disclosed herein couldalternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states orevents, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, interaction diagram(s) mayrepresent methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter whendisparate entities enact disparate portions of the methodologies.Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement adescribed example method in accordance with the subject specification.Further yet, two or more of the disclosed example methods can beimplemented in combination with each other, to accomplish one or morefeatures or advantages herein described. It should be furtherappreciated that the example methods disclosed throughout the subjectspecification are capable of being stored on an article of manufactureto facilitate transporting and transferring such methodologies tocomputers for execution, and thus implementation, by a processor or forstorage in a memory.

FIG. 8 presents a flowchart of an example method 800 for producing ahome sector identifier and a set of idle-mode scanning requirementsaccording to aspects described herein. A femto access point caneffectuate the subject example method 800. In an aspect, at least oneprocessor that confers, at least in part, functionality to the femto APcan enact the subject example method 800. At act 810, an indication toidentify a home macro sector (HMS) is received. The indication can bereceived from a mobile network platform component, such as a server orgateway node; and it can be received through a broadband backhaulbackbone (e.g., backhaul link 153). The indication can be a schedulethat establishes a set of instances in which a HMS is to be identified.Alternatively, or in addition, the indication can be embodied insignaling (e.g., signaling 458) to trigger identification of a HMS basedat least on an event. At act 820, a HMS is identified in accordance atleast in part with the received indication. At act 830, at least one ofa HMS identifier intended for each terminal, or mobile device,associated with respective unique device identifier retained in anaccess list for femto coverage, or signaling associated with a HMSidentifier is conveyed. Signaling can be an indication to operate on HMSidentifier(s) previously delivered to one or more mobile devicesrecorded in an access list; the indication can be embodied for examplein a SMS communication, a USSD message, or a set of bits delivered in acontrol channel. In an aspect, a HMS identifier can be conveyed when ascan of macro wireless environment results in a different or new homemacro sector. In another aspect, a HMS identifier can be conveyed inresponse to addition of a subscriber station to the access list. In yetanother aspect, signaling associated with a HMS identifier can conveyinstruction(s) to delete the HMS identifier and related scanningrequirement(s) from one or more mobile device removed from accesslist(s).

At act 840, it is checked whether screening requirement(s) for HMS areto be generated. In an aspect, to perform the checking act, signalingcan be probed to determined whether an indication to generate scanningrequirement(s) is received. Affirmative outcome of act 840, leads to act850, wherein at least a portion of a set of requirements for mobiledevice scanning behavior associated with operation within the HMS isgenerated. In an aspect, operation includes idle-mode operation. It isnoted that operation in idle mode, or otherwise, within the HMS occursin a mixed femto/macro wireless environment. Conversely, flow isdirected to act 880. At act 860, at least the portion of the set ofrequirements for mobile device scanning behavior associated withoperation within the HMS is conveyed. In an aspect, operation includesidle-mode operation. The conveyed operational requirements indicatespecifics of scanning such as time interval among execution of scans, orsignal quality thresholds associated with received pilot signals withinthe HMS, such thresholds can be different from their counterparts fornon-home macro sectors. At act 870, at least the portion of the set ofrequirements for mobile device scanning behavior associated withoperation within the HMS is retained. In an aspect, operation includesidle-mode operation. At act 880, report(s) associated with communicationof at least one of the HMS identifier or the portion of the set ofscanning requirements for mobile device scanning behavior associatedwith operation within the HMS. In an aspect, operation includesidle-mode operation. At act 890, a response to the received report(s) isgenerated. In another aspect, when at least one of the HMS identifier orthe set of scanning requirements fails to be communicated to one or moreof the intended mobile devices, the one or more mobile devices areflagged or barred from receiving at least a portion of femto coverage,or a request for a delivery retry cycle is requested (e.g., throughsignaling 458).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method 900 for identifying a homemacro sector according to aspects described herein. In an aspect, thesubject example method 900 can be utilized in conjunction with examplemethod 800. The subject example method 900 can be implemented by a femtoAP, or one or more components that reside therein. A processor thatconfers, at least in part, functionality to the femto AP can enact thesubject example method 900. At act 910, macro wireless environment isscanned. In an aspect, scanning can be effected by scanner component415. In an aspect, scanning includes surveying and comparing all macrofrequency bands, licensed or unlicensed, and radio network technologies.Alternatively, or in addition, scanning of macro wireless environmentcan include scanning for specific system broadcast messages linked tospecific technologies and conveyed through disparate frequency carriers.It should be appreciated that scanning of radio network technologiesrelies at least in part on detecting various pilot signals in accordancewith standardized protocol for each scanned radio technology. At act920, a set of identified macro sectors is ranked. Ranking can be basedupon a ranking criteria that includes at least in part radio technology,utilized carrier frequencies, signal strength and qualityconsiderations. Ranking criteria can be established by a networkoperator based at least in part on development stages of various servedtechnologies to a marketplace. At act 930, a set of one or more rankedmacro sectors is selected as a set of one or more home macro sectors(HMS), and respective home macro sector identifiers associated therewithis extracted. In an aspect, the identifier can be a numeric index thatcharacterizes a pilot code sequence, e.g., a Zadoff-Chu sequence, or aM-sequence.

At act 940, the extracted HMS identifier is linked with each uniquedevice identifier retained in an access list for femto coverage. It isnoted that the access list is associated with the femto AP that enactsthe subject example method. At act 950, the access list with links tothe HMS identifier is retained. Such access list can be retained in atleast one of a memory within a femto network platform, a memory thatresides within the femto AP, or an offline memory (e.g., a memoryexternal to femto AP or femto network platform) that is functionallycoupled to the femto AP. As an example, an offline memory can be amemory within a home-based server within a confined area served throughthe femto AP.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method 1000 for adopting home macrosector features according to aspects described herein. A mobile stationcan effect the subject example method 1000. In an aspect, at least oneprocessor that confers, at least in part, functionality to the mobilestation can enact this example method 1000. At act 1010, a home macrosector identifier is received. In an aspect, the HMS identifier can bereceived through a SMS message, a USSD message, or one or more bitstransported in a control channel, or a header of a data packet. At act1020, a set of one or more scanning behavior requirements associatedwith operation within the HMS sector is received. Operation within theHMS includes idle-mode operation. In addition, such operation, inidle-mode or otherwise, occurs in a mixed femto/macro wirelessenvironment. In another aspect, the set of one or more scanning behaviorrequirements can be received through a SMS message, a USSD message, orone or more bits transported in a control channel, or a header of a datapacket. In an aspect, the scanning behavior requirements can beassociated with idle mode operation of a mobile station, e.g., themobile station that enacts the subject method. At act 1030, anacknowledgement of at least one of the HMS identifier or the set ofscanning requirements is delivered (e.g., via ACK indication, one ormore reserved bits in a packet header, a light-payload data packet, apredetermined multi-bit word conveyed in a radio frame . . . ) when theat least one of the HMS identifier or the set of scanning behaviorrequirements are successfully received. At act 1040, at least one of thesuccessfully received HMS identifier or the successfully received set ofscanning behavior requirements associated with operation within the homemacro sector is retained. In an aspect, the subject received informationcan be retained in internal memory or within a removable memory card,e.g., a SIM card or a USIM card, that includes a pertinent IMSI such asan IMSI included in an access list that authorizes utilization of femtocoverage by a mobile device linked to the IMSI. At act 1050, at leastone of the successfully received HMS identifier or the successfullyreceived set of scanning behavior requirements associated with operationwithin the HMS is deleted when an indication of removal from an accesslist (e.g., access list(s) 446) that authorizes coverage through a femtoaccess point that generates at least one of the successfully receivedHMS identifier or scanning behavior requirements is received.

FIG. 11 presents a flowchart of an example method 1100 for scanning amacro sector in idle mode according to aspects described herein. Thesubject example method 1100 can be enacted in conjunction with examplemethod 1000. A mobile device, or one or more component therein, caneffect the subject example method. Alternatively, or in addition, aprocessor that confers, at least in part, functionality to the mobiledevice can enact the subject example method 1100. At act 1110, it isevaluated whether idle mode of operation is in effect or on. In thenegative case, the probe continues. In the affirmative case, flow isdirect to act 1120, in which a wireless environment is scanned inaccordance with a conventional scanning mode. It is noted thatconventional scanning mode generally avoids inter-carrier scanningunless a set of serving quality conditions reveals radio link failure,or loss of signal, as determined through a set of signal quality andstrength predetermined thresholds. At act 1130, a serving macro sectoridentifier is monitored. Monitoring can include blind decoding of a setof hypothesis for pilot signal sequences that identify a macro sector.In an aspect, in 3GPP UMTS, a scrambling code associated with the sectorcan be identified, and sector identifier can be decoded via receivedsystem broadcast messages. A dedicated application can effect, at leastin part, the sector identifier monitoring. At act 1140, it is determinedwhether serving macro sector is a home macro sector. Determination canbe implemented through comparison of an extracted macro sectoridentifier extracted in monitoring act 1130 with a look-up table (e.g.,HMS ID(s) 768) that includes HMS identifier(s). Such determination alsocan be implemented, at least in part, via the application that conductsthe monitoring in act 1130. When outcome of act 1140 is negative, flowis directed to act 1110. Conversely, in the affirmative case, scanningof wireless environment is triggered in a scanning mode in accordancewith HMS scanning behavior at act 1150.

FIG. 12 presents a flowchart of an example method for administering HMSidentifier(s) or a set of scanning requirement(s) according to aspectsdescribed herein. The subject example method 1200 can be enacted by oneor more components in a mobile network (e.g., wireless network platform602). In an aspect, at least one processor the confers at least aportion of the functionality of the one or more components can enactthis example method 1200. At act 1210, an indication to identify a homemacro sector is conveyed. The indication can be at least one ofschedule(s) (see FIG. 6) or scan request delivered through signaling(e.g., signaling 668). At act 1220, at least one of a home macro sectoridentifier or signaling associated with one of the HMS identifier or adisparate HMS identifier is received. Signaling can be an indication tooperate on, or manipulate, HMS identifier(s) previously delivered to oneor more mobile devices recorded in an access list; the indication can beembodied for example in a SMS communication, a USSD message, or a set ofbits delivered in a control channel. As an example, received signalingassociated with a HMS identifier can include instruction(s) to one ormore mobile devices to delete a previously delivered HMS identifier orscanning requirements when the one or more mobile devices are removedfrom an access list (e.g., access list(s) 446) that authorizes femtocoverage for the one or more mobile devices through a femto access point(femto AP 130) that generates at least one of the HMS identifier or thescanning requirements. In an aspect, access node(s) 615, e.g., femto GWnode(s) 618 and femto SRV node(s) 622, can facilitate reception of atleast one of the HMS identifier or the signaling associated with a HMSidentifier. At act 1230, it is probed whether to signal to not generatescreening requirement(s) for HMS. In an aspect, signaling to notgenerate screening requirement(s) is conveyed to a femto access point inorder to reduce at least in part operational complexity. A positiveoutcome of act 1230 leads to act 1240, wherein a set of scanningrequirements for idle-mode scan operation of a terminal within a homemacro sector is generated. Conversely, when outcome is negative, flow isdirected to act 1250 in which a set of scanning requirements foridle-mode scan operation of a mobile device within a HMS. At act 1260the set of scanning requirements for idle-mode scan operation of aterminal within a HMS is conveyed. In an aspect, the set of scanningrequirements are conveyed to one or more terminals that are authorizedto utilize wireless coverage in a femto AP that identifies the HMS. Theset of scanning requirements for idle-mode scan operation can bedelivered via a SMS message, a USSD message, or one or more bitstransported in a control channel, or a header of a data packet. At act1270, at least one of the HMS identifier or the signaling associatedwith a HMS identifier is conveyed. In an aspect, the HMS identifier isconveyed to the one or more terminals described in act 1260. The HMSidentifier can be delivered via a SMS message, a USSD message, or one ormore bits transported in a control channel, or a header of a datapacket. Management component 605 and/or access node(s) 615, e.g., macroGW node(s) 620 and macro SRV node(s) 624, can facilitate delivery theHMS identifier. In another aspect, as described above, conveyedsignaling associated with a HMS identifier can include instruction(s) toone or more mobile devices to delete a previously delivered HMSidentifier or scanning requirements when the one or more mobile devicesare removed from an access list that authorizes coverage for the one ormore mobile devices through a femto access point (femto AP 130) thatgenerates at least one of the HMS identifier or the scanningrequirements.

At act 1280, an indication is received that makes known whether at leastone of the conveyed HMS identifier or the set of scanning requirementsis successfully delivered. At act 1290, it is reported whether at leastone of the conveyed HMS identifier or the set of scanning requirementsis successfully delivered. In an aspect, report(s) are conveyed viasignaling (e.g., signaling 458) to the femto AP that identifies the HMS.A report can be embodied in a SMS message, a USSD message, or one ormore bits delivered through a control channel, or a header of a datapacket.

To provide further context for various aspects of the subjectspecification, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 illustrate, respectively, a blockdiagram of an example embodiment 1300 of a femto cell access point thatcan enable or exploit features or aspects of the subject innovation, andexample wireless network environment 1400 that includes femto and macroand that can enable aspects or feature of a mobile network platform asdescribed herein, and utilize femto APs that exploit aspects of thesubject innovation in accordance with various aspects of the subjectspecification. In embodiment 1300, femto AP 1305 can receive andtransmit signal(s) (e.g., attachment signaling) from and to wirelessdevices like femto access points, access terminals, wireless ports androuters, or the like, through a set of antennas 1320 ₁-1320 _(N) (N is apositive integer). It should be appreciated that antennas 1320 ₁-1320_(N) embody antenna(s) component 427, and are a part of communicationplatform 1315, which comprises electronic components and associatedcircuitry that provides for processing and manipulation of receivedsignal(s) and signal(s) to be transmitted. Such electronic componentsand circuitry embody at least in part signaling detection component 285;communication platform 1315 operates in substantially the same manner ascommunication platform 425 described hereinbefore. In an aspect,communication platform 1315 includes a receiver/transmitter 1316 thatcan convert signal from analog to digital upon reception, and fromdigital to analog upon transmission. In addition, receiver/transmitter1316 can divide a single data stream into multiple, parallel datastreams, or perform the reciprocal operation. Coupled toreceiver/transmitter 1316 is a multiplexer/demultiplexer 1317 thatfacilitates manipulation of signal in time and frequency space.Electronic component 1317 can multiplex information (data/traffic andcontrol/signaling) according to various multiplexing schemes such astime division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM),orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), code divisionmultiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing (SDM). In addition,mux/demux component 1317 can scramble and spread information (e.g.,codes) according to substantially any code known in the art; e.g.,Hadamard-Walsh codes, Baker codes, Kasami codes, polyphase codes, and soon. A modulator/demodulator 1318 is also a part of communicationplatform 1315, and can modulate information according to multiplemodulation techniques, such as frequency modulation, amplitudemodulation (e.g., M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), with M apositive integer), phase-shift keying (PSK), and the like

Femto access point 1305 also includes a processor 1335 configured toconfer, and confer, at least in part, functionality to substantially anyelectronic component in femto AP 1305. In particular, processor 1335 canfacilitate configuration of femto AP 1305, via configuration component1325, and one or more component therein, in accordance with variousaspects described herein in connection with configuration component 405and related component(s) or embodiment(s). Additionally, processor 1335can facilitate scanning of a macro wireless environment through scannercomponent 1310 in accordance to various aspects described herein inconnection with scanner component 405 related component(s) orembodiments.

Additionally, femto AP 1305 includes display interface 1312, which candisplay functions that control functionality of femto AP 1305, or revealoperation conditions thereof. In addition, display interface 1312 caninclude a screen to convey information to an end user. In an aspect,display interface 1312 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmapanel, a monolithic thin-film based electrochromic display, and so on.Moreover, display interface can also include a component (e.g.,speaker(s)) that facilitates communication of aural indicia, which canalso be employed in connection with messages that convey operationalinstructions to an end user. Display interface 1312 also facilitatesdata entry (e.g., through a linked keypad or via touch gestures), whichcan facilitated femto AP 1305 to receive external commands (e.g.,restart operation).

Broadband network interface facilitates connection of femto AP 1305 tofemto network via backhaul link(s) 153 (not shown in FIG. 13), whichenables incoming and outgoing data flow. Broadband network interface1314 can be internal or external to femto AP 1305, and it can utilizedisplay interface 1312 for end-user interaction and status informationdelivery.

Processor 1335 also is functionally connected to communication platform1315 and can facilitate operations on data (e.g., symbols, bits, orchips) for multiplexing/demultiplexing, such as effecting direct andinverse fast Fourier transforms, selection of modulation rates,selection of data packet formats, inter-packet times, etc. Moreover,processor 1335 is functionally connected, via data, system, or addressbus 1311, to display interface 1312 and broadband network interface 1314to confer, at least in part functionality to each of such components.

In femto AP 1305, memory 1345 can retain home macro sector identifier(s)(e.g., HMS ID(s) 448); access list(s) (e.g., access list(s) 446) thatauthorized access to wireless coverage trough femto 1305; sectorintelligence (e.g., sector intel 442) which includes ranking of macrosectors in the macro wireless environment of femto AP 1305, radio linkquality and strength associated therewith, . . . ; or the like. Memory1345 also can store data structures, code instructions and programmodules, system or device information, code sequences for scrambling,spreading and pilot transmission, femto AP floor plan configuration, andso on. Processor 1335 is coupled, e.g., via a memory bus, to the memory1345 in order to store and retrieve information necessary to operateand/or confer functionality to the components, platform, and interfacethat reside within femto access point 1305.

With respect to FIG. 14, wireless communication environment 1400includes two wireless network platforms: (i) A macro network platform1410 which serves, or facilitates communication with user equipment 1475(e.g., mobile 220) via a macro radio access network (RAN) 1470. Itshould be appreciated that in cellular wireless technologies (e.g., 3GPPUMTS, HSPA, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP2 UMB), macro network platform 1410 isembodied in a Core Network. (ii) A femto network platform 1480, whichcan provide communication with ULE 1475 through a femto RAN 1490, whichis linked to the femto network platform 1480 via backhaul pipe(s) 1485(e.g., backhaul link(s) 153). It should be appreciated that macronetwork platform 1410 typically hands off UE 1475 to femto networkplatform 1410 once UE 1475 attaches (e.g., through macro-to-femtohandover) to femto RAN 1490, which includes a set of deployed femto APs(e.g., femto AP 130) that can operate in accordance with aspectsdescribed herein.

It is noted that RAN includes base station(s), or access point(s), andits associated electronic circuitry and deployment site(s), in additionto a wireless radio link operated in accordance with the basestation(s). Accordingly, macro RAN 1470 can comprise various coveragecells like cell 105, while femto RAN 1490 can comprise multiple femtocell access points such as femto AP 130. Deployment density in femto RAN1490 is substantially higher than in macro RAN 1470.

Generally, both macro and femto network platforms 1410 and 1480 includecomponents, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or platforms,that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP),frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS)traffic (e.g., voice and data) and control generation for networkedwireless communication. In an aspect of the subject innovation, macronetwork platform 1410 includes CS gateway node(s) 1412 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 1440 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a SS7 network 1460. Circuitswitched gateway 1412 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g.,voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway 1412 canaccess mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 1460;for instance, mobility data stored in a VLR, which can reside in memory1430. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1412 interfaces CS-based traffic andsignaling and gateway node(s) 1418. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, PS gateway node(s) 1418 can be embodied in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN).

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 1418 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served (e.g., through macro RAN) wirelessdevices. Data sessions can include traffic exchange with networksexternal to the macro network platform 1410, like wide area network(s)(WANs) 1450, enterprise networks (NW(s)) 1470 (e.g., enhanced 911), orservice NW(s) 1480 like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS); it should beappreciated that local area network(s) (LANs), which may be a part ofenterprise NW(s), can also be interfaced with macro network platform1410 through PS gateway node(s) 1418. Packet-switched gateway node(s)1418 generates packet data contexts when a data session is established.To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 1418 can include a tunnelinterface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP UMTSnetwork(s); not shown) which can facilitate packetized communicationwith disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi networks. It should befurther appreciated that the packetized communication can includemultiple flows that can be generated through server(s) 1414. It is to benoted that in 3GPP UMTS network(s), PS gateway node(s) 1418 (e.g., GGSN)and tunnel interface (e.g., TTG) comprise a packet data gateway (PDG).

Macro network platform 1410 also includes serving node(s) 1416 thatconvey the various packetized flows of information, or data streams,received through PS gateway node(s) 1418. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, serving node(s) can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s)(SGSN).

As indicated above, server(s) 1414 in macro network platform 1410 canexecute numerous applications (e.g., location services, online gaming,wireless banking, wireless device management . . . ) that generatemultiple disparate packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g.,schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s), forexample can include add-on features to standard services provided bymacro network platform 1410. Data streams can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 1418 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1416 for communication thereafter.Server(s) 1414 can also effect security (e.g., implement one or morefirewalls) of macro network platform 1410 to ensure network's operationand data integrity in addition to authorization and authenticationprocedures that CS gateway node(s) 1412 and PS gateway node(s) 1418 canenact. Moreover, server(s) 1414 can provision services from externalnetwork(s), e.g., WAN 1450, or Global Positioning System (GPS)network(s), which can be a part of enterprise NW(s) 1480. It is to benoted that server(s) 1414 can include one or more processor configuredto confer at least in part the functionality of macro network platform1410. To that end, the one or more processor can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1430, for example.

In example wireless environment 1400, memory 1430 stores informationrelated to operation of macro network platform 1410. Information caninclude business data associated with subscribers; market plans andstrategies, e.g., promotional campaigns, business partnerships;operational data for mobile devices served through macro networkplatform; service and privacy policies; end-user service logs for lawenforcement; and so forth. Memory 1430 can also store information fromat least one of telephony network(s) 1440, WAN 1450, SS7 network 1460,enterprise NW(s) 1470, or service NW(s) 1480.

Regarding femto network platform 1480, it includes a femto gatewaynode(s) 1484, which have substantially the same functionality as PSgateway node(s) 1418. Additionally, femto gateway node(s) 1484 can alsoinclude substantially all functionality of serving node(s) 1416.Disparate gateway node(s) 1484 can control or operate disparate sets ofdeployed femto APs, which can be a part of femto RAN 1490. In an aspectof the subject innovation, femto gateway node(s) 1484 can aggregateoperational data received from deployed femto APs. Moreover, femtogateway node(s) 1484, can convey received attachment signaling toattachment component 1420. It should be appreciated that whileattachment component is illustrated as external to gateway node(s) 1484,attachment component 1420 can be an integral part of gateway node(s)1484.

Management component 1420 can facilitate delivery of home macro sectoridentifiers (e.g., HMS ID(s) 666) and a scanning requirement(s) (e.g.,scanning requirement(s) 664). It is noted that while managementcomponent 1420 is illustrated as residing within femto network platform1480, in alternative or additional scenarios, it can reside within macronetwork platform 1410, or distributed among macro and femto networkplatforms.

Memory 1486 can retain additional information relevant to operation ofthe various components of femto network platform 1480. For exampleoperational information that can be stored in memory 1486 can comprise,but is not limited to, subscriber intelligence; contracted services;maintenance and service records; femto cell configuration (e.g., devicesserved through femto RAN 1490; authorized subscribers associated withone or more deployed femto APs); service policies and specifications;privacy policies; add-on features; so forth.

Server(s) 1482 have substantially the same functionality as described inconnection with server(s) 1414. In an aspect, server(s) 1482 can executemultiple application(s) that provide service (e.g., voice and data) towireless devices served through femto RAN 1490. Server(s) 1482 can alsoprovide security features to femto network platform. In addition,server(s) 1482 can manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . )substantially all packetized flows (e.g., IP-based, frame relay-based,ATM-based) it generates in addition to data received from macro networkplatform 1410. Furthermore, server(s) 1482 can effect provisioning offemto cell service, and effect operations and maintenance. It is to benoted that server(s) 1482 can include one or more processors configuredto provide at least in part the functionality of femto network platform1480. To that end, the one or more processors can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1486, for example.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor may also be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” datastorage,” “database,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component, referto “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or componentscomprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory componentsdescribed herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, orcan include both volatile and nonvolatile memory.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Various aspects or features described herein may be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques. In addition, various aspects disclosed inthe subject specification can also be implemented through programmodules stored in a memory and executed by a processor, or othercombination of hardware and software, or hardware and firmware. The term“article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass acomputer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier,or media. For example, computer readable media can include but are notlimited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disc (CD), digitalversatile disc (DVD), blu-ray disc (BD) . . . ), smart cards, and flashmemory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive . . . ).

It should be appreciated that while various aspects, features, oradvantages described herein have been illustrated through femto accesspoint(s) and associated femto coverage, such aspects and features alsocan be exploited for home access point(s) (HAPs) that provide wirelesscoverage through substantially any, or any, disparate telecommunicationtechnologies, such as for example Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity).Additionally, aspects, features, or advantages of the subject innovationcan be exploited in substantially any wireless telecommunication, orradio, technology; for example, Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), Enhanced General Packet Radio Service(Enhanced GPRS), Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long TermEvolution (LTE), Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) UltraMobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA),or LTE Advanced. Moreover, substantially all aspects of the subjectinnovation can include legacy telecommunication technologies.

What has been described above includes examples of systems and methodsthat provide advantages of the subject innovation. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every conceivable combination of components ormethodologies for purposes of describing the subject innovation, but oneof ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter arepossible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,”“possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims,appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

1. A method, comprising: receiving an indication to identify a homemacro sector (HMS); identifying a HMS in accordance with the receivedindication; and when an indication is received to generate scanningrequirements, generating at least a portion of a set of scanningrequirements for mobile device scan behavior associated with operationin idle mode within the HMS, wherein the scanning requirements forceperiodic inter-carrier measurements of the HMS wireless environment. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising conveying a HMS identifierintended for each terminal associated with a respective unique deviceidentifier retained in an access list for femto coverage.
 3. The methodof claim 2, further comprising conveying at least the generated portionof the set of scanning requirements for mobile device scan behaviorassociated with operation in idle mode within the HMS, wherein operationin idle-mode within the HMS occurs in a mixed femto/macro wirelessenvironment.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the HMS identifierintended for each terminal associated with a respective unique deviceidentifier retained in an access list for femto coverage or thegenerated portion of the set of scanning requirements are conveyed whena mobile device is added to the access list for femto coverage.
 5. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the HMS identifier intended for each terminalassociated with a respective unique device identifier retained in anaccess list for femto coverage or the generated portion of the set ofscanning requirements are conveyed when identifying a HMS in accordancewith the received indication establishes at least one of a new HMS or adisparate HMS.
 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising: receiving areport associated with communication of at least one of the HMSidentifier or the portion of the set of scanning requirements for mobiledevice scan behavior associated with operation in idle mode within theHMS; and generating a response to the received report.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying a HMS in accordance with the receivedindication includes: scanning a macro wireless environment and ranking aset of identified macro sectors; and selecting a set of ranked macrosectors as a set of home macro sectors and extracting respective homemacro sector identifiers associated therewith.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein ranking the set of identified macro sectors is based at least onranking criteria that includes at least in part radio technology,utilized carrier frequencies, or signal strength and quality.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising linking the extracted HMSidentifier with each unique device identifier retained in an access listfor femto coverage.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication toidentify the HMS includes a schedule that establishes a set of instancesin which a HMS is to be identified.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinthe scanning requirements include a set of radio link quality thresholdsthat are different from radio quality thresholds employed in non-homemacro sectors.
 12. A system, comprising: a component that configures ahome access point (HAP) in scan mode; a scanner component that surveys amacro wireless environment in the vicinity of the HAP and identifies aset of macro sectors; a component that identifies a home macro sector(HMS) within the identified set of macro sectors; and a component thatgenerates a set of scanning requirements in idle-mode operation for amobile device that operates within the identified HMS, when anindication to generate scanning requirements is received.
 13. The systemof claim 12, further comprising a communication platform that receivesan indication to configure the HAP in scan mode.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the indication includes at least one of a schedule or anevent-based scan request, the at least one of the schedule or theevent-based scan request facilitates reassessment of the macro wirelessenvironment of the HAP upon macro network deployment modifications,which include at least one of addition of sector(s), deployment of radiotechnologies, or utilization of new frequency carriers communication.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the set of scanning requirementsincludes at least one of an indication to conduct periodic inter-carriermeasurements of the HMS wireless environment, or a set of radio linkquality thresholds different from radio quality thresholds employed innon-home macro sectors.
 16. The system of claim 12, the component thatconfigures the HAP in scan mode includes an association component thatlinks a HMS identifier with each mobile device unique identifierincluded in an access list to authorize femto coverage
 17. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the component that identifies the HMS within theidentified set of macro sectors includes a ranking component that ordersthe identified set of macro sectors and facilitates selection of one ormore top-ranked identified macro sectors as the HMS.
 18. The system ofclaim 16, further including a communication platform that conveys atleast one of a HMS identifier associated with the identified HMS or thegenerated set of scanning requirements.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein at least one of the HMS identifier associated with theidentified HMS or the generated set of scanning requirements areconveyed when a mobile device is added to the access list to authorizefemto coverage.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of theHMS identifier associated with the identified HMS or the generated setof scanning requirements are conveyed when the component that identifiesthe HMS within the identified set of macro sectors establishes at leastone of a new HMS or a disparate HMS.
 21. The system of claim 19, whenone or more mobile devices are removed from the access list to authorizefemto coverage, the component that configures the HAP in scan modedelivers an indication to the one or more mobile devices that areremoved to delete at least one of a HMS identifier or scanningrequirements stored within respective memory elements in the one or moremobile devices no longer retained in the access list to authorize femtocoverage.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the communication platformreceives a report associated with communication of at least one of theHMS identifier or the portion of the set of scanning requirements formobile device scanning behavior associated with operation in idle modewithin the HMS
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the component thatconfigures the HAP in scan mode generates a response to the receivedreport, the response includes at least one of bar access to the HAP of amobile device that fails to receive at least one of the HMS identifieror the portion of the set of scanning requirements, or request adelivery retry cycle.
 24. A system that administers home macro sectorindicators or scanning requirements for idle-mode operation of a mobiledevice, the system comprising: a component that supplies an indicationto scan a macro wireless environment and identify a home macro sector(HMS); one or more access nodes that convey the indication to scan themacro wireless environment and identify the HMS, and receive at leastone of a HMS identifier or a set of scanning requirement(s).
 25. Thesystem of claim 24, wherein the indication is a schedule that provides aset of instances to scan the macro wireless environment, the schedule isgenerated based at least in part on network intelligence.
 26. The systemof claim 24, further comprising a component that supplies an indicationto not generate a set of scanning requirements.
 27. The system of claim24, wherein the set of scanning requirements include at least one of aperiod of scans of the macro wireless environment, or a set of radiolink quality thresholds that are different from radio quality thresholdsemployed in non-home macro sectors.